a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in the direction of the new position, as in walking, running, or dancing.
such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot: The soldier took one step forward and stood at attention.
the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot.
the sound made by the foot in making such a movement.
a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground; footprint.
the manner of walking; gait; stride.
pace in marching: double-quick step.
a pace uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music.
steps,movements or course in walking or running: to retrace one's steps.
a move, act, or proceeding, as toward some end or in the general course of some action; stage, measure, or period: the five steps to success.
rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale.
a support for the foot in ascending or descending: a step of a ladder; a stair of 14 steps.
a very short distance: She was never more than a step away from her children.
a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions.
the interval between two adjacent scale degrees; second.Compare semitone, whole step.
steps,British. a stepladder.
an offset part of anything.
Nautical. a socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast.
Mining. a flat-topped ledge on the face of a quarry or a mine working.
verb (used without object),stepped,step·ping.
to move, go, etc., by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, or by using the feet alternately in this manner: to step forward.
to walk, or go on foot, especially for a few strides or a short distance: Step over to the bar.
to move with measured steps, as in a dance.
to go briskly or fast, as a horse.
to obtain, find, win, come upon, etc., something easily and naturally, as if by a mere step of the foot: to step into a good business opportunity.
to put the foot down; tread by intention or accident: to step on a cat's tail.
to press with the foot, as on a lever, spring, or the like, in order to operate some mechanism.
verb (used with object),stepped,step·ping.
to take (a step, pace, stride, etc.).
to go through or perform the steps of (a dance).
to move or set (the foot) in taking a step.
to measure (a distance, ground, etc.) by steps (sometimes followed by off or out).
to make or arrange in the manner of a series of steps.
Nautical. to fix (a mast) in its step.
Verb Phrases
step down,
to lower or decrease by degrees.
to relinquish one's authority or control; resign: Although he was past retirement age, he refused to step down and let his son take over the business.
step in, to become involved; intervene, as in a quarrel or fight: The brawl was well under way by the time the police stepped in.
step out,
to leave a place, especially for a brief period of time.
to walk or march at a more rapid pace.
to go out to a social gathering or on a date: We're stepping out tonight.
step up,
to raise or increase by degrees: to step up production.
to be promoted; advance.
to make progress; improve.
Idioms
break step, to interrupt or cease walking or marching in step: The marching units were allowed to break step after they had passed the reviewing stand.
in step,
moving in time to a rhythm or with the corresponding step of others.
in harmony or conformity with: They are not in step with the times.
keep step, to keep pace; stay in step: The construction of classrooms and the training of teachers have not kept step with population growth.
out of step,
not in time to a rhythm or corresponding to the step of others.
not in harmony or conformity with: They are out of step with the others in their group.
step by step,
from one stage to the next in sequence.
gradually and steadily: We were shown the steelmaking process step by step.
step on it, Informal. to hasten one's activity or steps; hurry up: If we don't step on it, we'll miss the show.
take steps, to set about putting something into operation; begin to act: I will take steps to see that your application is processed.
watch one's step, to proceed with caution; behave prudently: If she doesn't watch her step, she will be fired from her job.
Origin of step
before 900; (v.) Middle Englishsteppen,Old Englishsteppan; cognate with Old High Germanstepfen; akin to stamp; (noun) Middle English;Old Englishstepe
Related formsstep·less, adjectivestep·like, adjectivecoun·ter·step, noun, verb,coun·ter·stepped,coun·ter·step·ping.out·step, verb (used with object),out·stepped,out·step·ping.un·der·step, nounCan be confusedstepsteppe
an offset or change in the level of a surface similar to the step of a stair
a strong block or frame bolted onto the keel of a vessel and fitted to receive the base of a mast
a ledge cut in mining or quarrying excavations
break stepto cease to march in step
in step
marching, dancing, etc, in conformity with a specified pace or moving in unison with others
informalin agreement or harmony
keep stepto remain walking, marching, dancing, etc, in unison or in a specified rhythm
out of step
not moving in conformity with a specified pace or in accordance with others
informalnot in agreement; out of harmony
step by stepwith care and deliberation; gradually
take stepsto undertake measures (to do something) with a view to the attainment of some end
watch one's step
informalto conduct oneself with caution and good behaviour
to walk or move carefully
verbsteps, steppingorstepped
(intr)to move by raising the foot and then setting it down in a different position, transferring the weight of the body to this foot and repeating the process with the other foot
(intr; often foll by in, out, etc)to move or go on foot, esp for a short distancestep this way, ladies
(intr)informal, mainlyUSto move, often in an attractive graceful manner, as in dancinghe can really step around
(intr; usually foll by on or upon)to place or press the foot; treadto step on the accelerator
(intr usually foll by into) to enter (into a situation) apparently with easeshe stepped into a life of luxury
(tr)to walk or take (a number of paces, etc)to step ten paces
(tr)to perform the steps ofthey step the tango well
(tr)to set or place (the foot)
(tr; usually foll by off or out)to measure (some distance of ground) by stepping
(tr)to arrange in or supply with a series of steps so as to avoid coincidence or symmetry
Old English steppan (Anglian), stæppan (West Saxon) "take a step," from West Germanic *stap- "tread" (cf. Old Frisian, Middle Dutch, Dutch stap, Old High German stapfo, German stapfe "footstep"), from PIE root *stebh- "to tread, step" (cf. Old Church Slavonic stopa "step, pace," stepeni "step, degree"). Originally strong (past tense stop, past participle bestapen); weak forms emerged 13c., universal from 16c. Stepping stone first recorded early 14c.; in the figurative sense 1650s. Step on it "hurry up" is 1923, from notion of gas pedal; step out (v.) is from 1907.
step
n.
Old English steppa (Mercian), stæpe, stepe (West Saxon) "stair, act of stepping," from the source of step (v.). Meaning "action which leads toward a result" is recorded from 1540s. Warning phrase watch your step is attested from 1934. Step-dancing first recorded 1886.
Moving to a rhythm or conforming to the movements of others, as in The kids marched in step to the music. [Late 1800s]
2
in step with. In conformity or harmony with, as in He was in step with the times. The antonym to both usages is out of step, as in They're out of step with the music, or His views are out of step with the board's. [Late 1800s] Also see in phase; out of phase.
